How to communicate with a deaf dog

Updated 22/02/2024

Every canine can be communicated with. If your pupper was born deaf, you’ve recently adopted a hearing-impaired hound, or perhaps your pooch’s perception of sound has faded with time. Whatever the circumstance, learning how to communicate with a deaf dog can be an enriching a fulfilling journey for you and your pup.

We want to look at the different ways you new and seasoned pet parents can understand how to help a deaf dog, discover what works best when caring for a deaf dog, and how to provide deaf dog training. So, with light clickers at the ready and treats on standby, let’s learn a bit more about how to communicate with a deaf dog.

How do you communicate with a deaf dog?

All pups are individual and unique in their own way, which means they all learn differently. Whilst only one of the methods below may help you communicate with a deaf doggo, some may respond to all four rather positively. You and your pup will find what suits you both best and a particular rhythm to how you both communicate with each other. 

Hand signals

Decide on some basic, easy-to-see hand signals to help your pup understand important commands like come, stay, and wait. Rather than using a noise clicker, you can purchase a small flashlight to use instead. The light will grab their attention and can signal when you’re about to give a command or cue. Ensure it is not too bright or it will damage their eyes. 

Facial expressions

Pups are super smart, not only do they recognize different faces, but they can even understand our facial expressions. There’s evidence to indicate they can mimic us when we smile and even look at our faces to determine how a situation is going down. This is why some pooches seem to be able to read your mind.

When it comes to deaf dog training and care, facial expressions are a great way to show them they’re doing the right thing, offer reassurance, and let them know if they need to try again.

Eye contact

Another important part of helping to care for a deaf dog is eye contact. Just as they can read our facial expressions, so too can doggos learn to read cues through looking at them. Of course, they’re not telepathic, this is more to indicate if you want their attention or to offer them guidance on whether they can approach a new situation.

Body language

Again, dogs are very in tune with their parents. Pups will know if we’re relaxed or on guard just by the way we’re standing or facing them. When training your hard-of-hearing pooch, make sure you are assertive and confident with how you use your body language. A more relaxed parent will help the pup feel at ease and make it easier for them to learn and understand. It is very important to always be consistent in your actions. 

Learn how to call a deaf dog and how to get a deaf dog’s attention

A rule of thumb with caring for deaf dogs is to never let them off their leash in public areas or places that are not secure. Why? You won’t be able to call them back. However, there are a few tricks to preventing this from happening, should you be the parent of an escape artist.

Some pup parents chose to fit their dog with a vibrating collar. This is not a shock collar, nor should this type of gear be used with any dog. A vibrating collar sends gentle pulses through the dog's neck to indicate if they’ve wandered off too far from you or their home. It doesn’t cause them any pain and they’re perfectly safe.

Other canine carers prefer to teach their pooch to respond to flashlight signals. This technique works over a greater range, as well as in the dark. Of course, using light signals in bright sunshine which be a bit cumbersome. In this case, make sure your pupper is securely attached to its leash or harness before leaving the house.

Deaf dog training

Dog training for deaf dogs does require some extra patience and understanding. Pup parents will be required to go through a bit of training themselves! If you’re unsure where to start, there are plenty of deaf dog training professionals available. They’ll help with teaching you and your pup some basic American sign language and signal tricks to help you both communicate. Although this sounds tricky, this also allows you to develop a deeper bond with your pooch as your trust grows with their training.

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.

Are you the pet parent of a hearing-impaired pooch? Do you have any extra tips for other pup parents of deaf doggos you think would be helpful? Share your canine knowledge on our Community Forum and help out other pet lovers, like yourself. Otherwise, have a look at which dog sitters near you have experience caring for deaf dogs - your fur family’s next friend could be just around the corner.